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A Final Word from David in Toulouse
I'm pleased to inform you all that Bill Scriven can now take over the PRC website. This will improve the website I'm sure, he has much more contact with runners than I ever have, and his web skills are well known if you look at his own site Running in Focus.
The new web address is www.prestatynrunningclub.com
I have enjoyed reading all the race reports over the last 6/7 years and I will look at your new website to see what everyone's been doing. It's been a comfort to me,since my dad died in 2001 to have taken an interest in the club which he so enjoyed. Thank you all for making me so welcome by everyone whenever I have shown my face.
You may have noticed that I haven't been so good at updating the blog recently. I hope PRC runners are not too cross about this. I have recently had much less free time while Kate has been pregnant again and now there's a third child under 5 in our house I am no less busy. Little Thomas was born at the end of January.
Best regards to all of PRC,
David Faure
Reply from Gareth Hughes:
We are extremely grateful to you for what you have done over the years and fully understand your other commitments, though I didn't know there were 3 commitments instead of 2! Congratulations, and I hope all is well.
We hope that you will not sever your ties with the club and you know that we would be delighted to see you whenever you happen to be over here.
I have to say that it is a remarkable tribute to your dad that his name keeps being mentioned with such affection and respect among members. To me he epitomised everything good about the sport.
In recent weeks we had tried in vain to find someone within the club who would be interested in running the website and, as Bill mentioned, obtained a grant from Welsh Athletics towards promoting the club, which we took to include the website. The club is on the up again, having picked up several new, younger members over the past year and so the time is right.
We are therefore very pleased that Bill has now agreed to do it, especially as his own site Running in Focus seems to be flourishing.
Once again, many thanks for all your efforts.
Best wishes.
Gareth
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You've got to be in it to win it
IT may be a cliché but Prestatyn Running Club members proved the truth of the saying "You've got to be in it to win it", when they came away with four individual and two team awards from the Gregsons Solicitors North Wales Cross-Country championships in Northop.
Despite the absence of several regular competitors through injury and other commitments the club maintained its good record in the event.
Two of the men took golds in their individual categories - George Nicholls in the M35 class and George Nixon in the M55 age-group. The pair had their usual close battle, and for the first time Nicholls just edged it by one second, though by then his colleague had made sure of first place in his section.
Those two, supported by Paul Brandrick, took bronze in the veterans' team competition.
Once again it was heartening to see no fewer than nine ladies turning out and their efforts were rewarded. Brenda Tiedtke was third in the L45 class and Gabby Waring second in the L50 section.
They, along with Rebecca Robinson, who led the contingent home, and the still improving Eleri Goddard, took silver in the senior ladies' team category. They also narrowly missed out on the bronze medals in the veterans'
team competition.
The club placings were:- Junior men: 7 Gareth Bailey 32.00. Senior men: 14 George Nicholls 39.49 (1st M35) , 15 George Nixon 39.50 (1st M55), 24 Matt Sims 40.43, 30 Dean Longley 43.02, 36 Paul Brandrick 44.12. M60: 8 Steve Hatfield 37.32. Ladies: 16 Rebecca Robinson 26.40, 20 Gabby Waring 27.49
(2nd L50), 24 Brenda Tiedtke 28.38 (3rd L45), 28 Eleri Goddard 29.37, 29 Glenda Davies 30.07, 31 Fiona Brown 30.35, 34 Julie Logan 31.46, 35 Joanna Edwards 32.00, 37 Helen Baxandall 32.36.
This Sunday the club is hoping for even better support for the Border League fixture at Abergele.
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British Masters' championships in March, 2009
PRESTATYN Running Club's reputation for staging quality events has been recognised by the club being invited to host its most prestigious meeting yet.
Following the success of the Welsh cross-country championships in February this year the club has been asked to organise the British Masters' championships in March, 2009.
The meeting, which has never before been held in North Wales, normally attracts about 300 of the country's top veteran athletes, many of whom are full internationals.
The invitation came because leading figures in Welsh veteran circles were so impressed with the Ruthin School course and facilities at the Welsh championships.
"It's a massive compliment to the club to be asked to host such an important meeting, and great tribute to all those who helped in February," said club secretary Gareth Hughes.
"We have put on the North Wales championships at Ruthin School twice and each time the feedback from athletes, officials and spectators has been positive," he said.
"Our committee has yet to discuss the matter but I don't envisage we'll turn down the opportunity to host such a prestigious event," said Gareth.
"It will also be a major event for the town of Ruthin, as many of the athletes from Scotland, England and South Wales will need accommodation," he added.
The club will, however, no longer be hosting next year's Welsh Road Relays as planned.
With the support of Abergele Harriers the Prestatyn club had offered to stage the relays in North Wales for the first time in over 20 years. The only available date, March 22, is Easter Saturday and that could cause complications on the promenade course, especially as a high tide is forecast that day.
With other national championships due to come to North Wales, the relays will now be held in Swansea.
Veteran Phil Jones was the only club member in competitive action at the weekend when he travelled back to his native patch of Dolgellau for the Rhobell Fawr mountain race at Llanfachreth.
The six-mile race involves 1,900 feet of climbing and Phil was quite content with his time of 76 minutes, just a few minutes slower than three years ago.
Prolific racer George Nicholls is, not surprisingly, leading the club's
Grand Prix with 112 points from 12 races. Other placings are Gabby Waring (98 from 6), George Nixon (81/5), Glenda Davies (77/8), Paul Brandrick (69/8), Brenda Tiedtke (60/5), Gill Brandrick (53/6), John Hughes Roberts (53/9), Steve Hatfield (49/8), Gareth Brandrick (45/5), Arwel Jones 45/7), Helen Baxandall (43/6), Eleri Goddard (37/6), Dave Henley (36/5), Gareth Bailey (33/5), and Julie Logan (28/5).
This Sunday ((18th)) the club is hoping for another strong turnout of men and women for the second Border Road Running League fixture at Birkenhead Park.
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Slaters' Abergele 5-mile race
PRESTATYN Running Club's super-veteran George Nixon came away from the Slaters' Abergele 5-mile race at the weekend with two trophies after an almighty battle with his rivals in the M55 age-group.
The St Asaph athlete is in superb form at the moment and was relishing the prospect of a head-to-head with Les Coathup of Buckley.
George finally saw off his challenge on the tough Quarry Hill climb and though the Buckley runner closed the gap to only three seconds it was enough for George to win the North Wales title as the race incorporated the regional championships.
Just five seconds ahead of George, however, was unattached runner Dave Bewley from the Wirral who won the M55 class in the open competition.
Four other Prestatyn members also claimed awards in their age-groups, Gareth Brandrick winning the U23 class in the championship. His father Paul was 2nd in the M55 section in the open race, Glenda Davies was third in the L45 category and Gabby Waring was 3rd L50.
The ladies' team, comprising Gabby, Glenda, Michelle Ward and Tracy Colligan, finished second behind Wrexham. The club's second quartet of Joanna Edwards, Fiona Brown, Helen Baxandall and Julie Logan finished fifth after a battle amongst themselves.
The men's "A" team of George Nixon, George Nicholls, Dave Henley and Gareth Brandrick were fifth out of 22 teams.
Results: 22 George Nixon 30.22, 33 George Nicholls 30.49, 35 Dave Henley 31.17, 41 Gareth Brandrick 31.57, 58 Dean Longley 32.58, 64 Paul Brandrick 33.20, 85 John Hughes-Roberts 35.01, 98 Gareth Hughes 35.27, 129 Sean Kelly 37.22, 143 Steve Hatfield 38.14, 150 Gabby Waring 38.47, 161 Mike Doolan
39.29, 172 Glenda Davies 40.26, 177 Michelle Ward 40.56, 187 Tracy Colligan 41.41, 188 Joanna Edwards 41.42, 199 Duncan Longley 42.41, 200 Fiona Brown 42.42, 202 Helen Baxandall 43.05, 203 Julie Logan 43.10, 213 Gill Brandrick 44.13.
Failure to do his homework resulted in a shock for club chairman Arwel Jones in Sunday's Moel Famau race from Cilcain, which involved a total of 3,100 feet of climbing over 10 miles.
Thinking the worst was over after several tough climbs, he didn't realise that the worst - a scramble up a notoriously steep and slippery gulley - was yet to come and he lost several places on the section.
He eventually finished in 1 hour 42 minutes, 12 minutes ahead of Phil Jones, whose preparations for the race - a holiday in the sun, with plenty of sangria and little training - was hardly ideal.
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2008 Welsh Road Relays
PRESTATYN Running Club looks set to host another prestigious national competition.
The club, which in February this year staged a successful national cross-country championship in Ruthin, has been given the go-ahead with plans for the 2008 Welsh Road Relays.
If approved, it will be the first time for the championships, including races for under-13s upwards, to be held in North Wales in over 20 years.
As it will be the first time for the club to organize relays neighbours Abergele Harriers have agreed to help in the organization.
Prestatyn club secretary Gareth Hughes said that although he had a course in mind he was yet to confirm details and a suitable date was also being sought.
Welsh Athletics Ltd, the governing body, have suggested that the meeting be held in March to enable the winners of the senior races to progress to the British six-stage relays the following month.
This coming Sunday ((14th)) the club is hosting the first fixture in this season’s Borders Road-Running League, with the men hoping to make a swift return to Division 1. It is also expected that several of the recent recruits will be making their league debuts for the ladies’ team.
The race starts near the Nova at 11am and members unable or not intending to run are urged to volunteer as marshals and for other roles. Anyone able to help should call Paul Brandrick on 01745 – 853356.
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Borders Road-Running League
THE Borders Road-Running League got off to a highly promising start for Prestatyn Running Club with the opening fixture on their own territory.
Even though some of the club’s faster runners were missing through injury or other commitments a total of 25 members turned out, including one man and four women making their League debuts.
The team placings were not available at the time of going to press, but the men expect to be well placed to fight for promotion from Division 2.
Veteran George Nixon, now 55, was the club’s first finisher in 46th place and he was closely followed by fellow veteran Gordon Jones, new recruit Ian Kneale and Gareth Bicknell, who had run cross-country for Colwyn Bay the day before.
Behind him there was some solid packing by the reliable George Nicholls, Neil Halliday, Martin Cortvriend, who had competed for Macclesfield in the British fell relays the previous day, and Gareth Bailey, who had an excellent run.
As in the first cross-country fixture recently Gabby Waring led the ladies’ squad home and it was excellent to see such a turnout of the ladies, especially first-timers Tracey Colligan, Shelley Ward, Julie Logan and Linda Williams.
Thanks are also due to Steve Wellington, who took over from Paul Brandrick the role of race organiser, and all those who officiated in various ways to help make the race run smoothly.
The next League race, to be hosted by Wirral AC, is in Birkenhead Park on November 18.
The placings were: 46 George Nixon, 53 Gordon Jones, 54 Ian Kneale, 57 Gareth Bicknell, 59 George Nicholls, 66 Neil Halliday, 70 Martin Cortvriend, 72 Gareth Bailey, 80 Dave Henley, 99 Gareth Brandrick, 102 Arwel Jones, 107 Dean Longley, 145 David A Jones, 154 Gareth Hughes, 172 John Hughes-Roberts, 192 Gabby Waring, 199 Brenda Tiedtke, 212 Mike Doolan, 224 Glenda Davies, 230 Shelley Ward, 234 Eleri Goddard, 245 Tracey Colligan, 250 Helen Baxandall, 256 Julie Logan, 262 Linda Williams.
Four members of the club joined the 8,000-strong field in the Cardiff half-marathon on Sunday, the course for which threaded through the city centre, to the Bay and back to Bute Park and the castle grounds.
Paul Brandrick clocked 1-35, 10 minutes ahead of Becky Robinson. Katy Brandrick, who was feling unwell, ran the course with her boyfriend Sion Edwards and they finished in 1-57, while her mum Gill was four minutes behind her.
This Saturday the club is hoping for another good turnout for the second fixture in the Majestic Travel North Wales Cross-Country League hosted by Telford AC in Lilleshall. A minibus will be leaving Ruthin at 11am and members are asked to make their own way to Ruthin. Details are available from Steve Hatfield on 01745 – 856672 or Gareth Hughes on 888078.
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North Wales Cross-Country League at Lilleshall, Shropshire
PRESTATYN Running Club’s ladies moved to the top of Division 2 of the Majestic Travel North Wales Cross-Country League after the second fixture at Lilleshall, Shropshire, on Saturday.
Though they finished second to a strong Bangor University squad on the day they edged into a one-point lead on aggregate over Denbigh Harriers.
Rebecca Robinson, in such good form recently, was the first finisher in an excellent 31st place overall, and received good support from Gabby Waring and Kate Brandrick, while Eleri Goddard, Glenda Davies and newcomers Joanna Edwards and Julie Logan all played important parts in ensuring top place.
The men were missing some of their regular counters, including Chris Kelly, their first finisher in the first fixture, who is recovering from a fall off his bike.
Veterans Gordon Jones and George Nixon were first two home, with Dave Henley again improving on past performances to finish third.
Loer down the field Gareth Bailey, competing in only his second cross-country race, also confirmed his recent improvement, taking 97th place.
The men currently lie eighth in Division 1 and though they will have to work hard in the remaining three races to avoid a quick return to Division 2 they are more than capable of doing so.
The club placings were: Men: 48 Gordon Jones 37.20, 54 George Nixon 37.42 (2nd M55), 65 Dave Henley 38.12, 68 George Nicholls 38.33, 94 Arwel Jones 40.31, 95 Paul Brandrick 40.37, 97 Gareth Bailey 40.43, 123 John Hughes-Roberts 43.13, 151 Mike Doolan 49.19, 152 Steve Hatfield 49.37. Ladies: 31 Rebecca Robinson 26.49, 37 Gabby Waring 27.37 (2nd L50), 39 Kate Brandrick 27.45, 53 Eleri Goddard 30.16, 58 Glenda Davies 30.46, 60 Joanna Edwards 31.25, 62 Julie Logan 31.53.
This Saturday Jo McDonough, Rob Davies, Steve Wellington and June Cooke hope to see the fruits of their dedicated training when they take part in the Snowdonia Marathon.
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